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Aviation Week • Robert Wall

ESA awards Kepler-led team contract for HydRON “fiber in the sky” laser communications demo across multiple orbital planes

The European Space Agency has selected a Kepler Communications-led team to test ESA’s HydRON “fiber in the sky” laser communications network, moving the demonstration forward with a contract to Kepler Communications. The program targets high-throughput optical links for orbital-to-orbital data transfer.

2026-04-14T16:53:23.631178-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Seagate Space and Oceaneering to build next-generation offshore launch infrastructure

2026-04-14T13:15:04.592411-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Blue Canyon Technologies expands reaction wheel production capacity

2026-04-14T10:18:19.041871-07:00

Aviation Week

BAE Systems advances “dynamic space operations” with maneuverable, refuelable satellite and Moon cargo tug concept

2026-04-14T05:08:26.678162-07:00

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Aviation Week

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ESA awards Kepler-led team contract for HydRON “fiber in the sky” laser communications demo across multiple orbital planes The European Space Agency has selected a Kepler Communications-led team to test ESA’s HydRON “fiber in the sky” laser communications network, moving the demonstration forward with a contract to Kepler Communications. The program targets high-throughput optical links for orbital-to-orbital data transfer.

2026-04-14T16:53:23.631178-07:00

ESA awards Kepler-led team contract for HydRON “fiber in the sky” laser communications demo across multiple orbital planes

SpaceNews.com

Seagate Space and Oceaneering to build next-generation offshore launch infrastructure Seagate Space and Oceaneering have joined forces to develop offshore launch infrastructure for future space launches. The partnership focuses on building the physical infrastructure needed to support offshore launch operations, pairing Seagate Space’s space platform ambitions with Oceaneering’s offshore engineering and deployment capabilities.

2026-04-14T13:15:04.592411-07:00

Seagate Space and Oceaneering to build next-generation offshore launch infrastructure

Payload

CLD companies push back on NASA’s assessment; NASA urges “prove we got it wrong” Companies behind CLD efforts are disputing NASA’s position after Isaacman said he wasn’t surprised they “didn’t like what we had to say,” adding they should “prove we got it wrong.” NASA’s response is to challenge critics to demonstrate why the agency’s conclusions are incorrect, raising pressure ahead of the next program steps.

2026-04-14T11:55:33.194432-07:00

CLD companies push back on NASA’s assessment; NASA urges “prove we got it wrong”

SpaceNews.com

Blue Canyon Technologies expands reaction wheel production capacity RTX’s Blue Canyon Technologies is increasing reaction wheel manufacturing capacity, a move aimed at scaling the components used for spacecraft attitude control. The expansion signals closer alignment between production throughput and demand for precision space systems and mission payloads.

2026-04-14T10:18:19.041871-07:00

Blue Canyon Technologies expands reaction wheel production capacity

SpaceNews.com

China flies Jielong-3 internet-test payload; Kinetica-1 adds 8 imaging satellites to active remote-sensing capability Two Chinese solid-rocket launches from Jiuquan inserted nine satellites into orbit, including the Jielong-3 internet-test satellite and eight Kinetica-1 remote-sensing spacecraft for the Jilin-1 constellation. The payloads extend both broadband/communications experimentation and fresh commercial imaging capability via new deployments.

2026-04-14T09:15:02.650527-07:00

China flies Jielong-3 internet-test payload; Kinetica-1 adds 8 imaging satellites to active remote-sensing capability

SpaceNews.com

Eutelsat’s US arm pitches hosted-payload deals to accelerate OneWeb satellite monetization Eutelsat says its U.S. business is marketing hosted-payload arrangements tied to OneWeb satellites, positioning the LEO platform as a destination for third-party payloads. The push signals an effort to broaden revenue streams beyond capacity sales as OneWeb ramps its next-generation deployment.

2026-04-14T06:14:52.437603-07:00

Eutelsat’s US arm pitches hosted-payload deals to accelerate OneWeb satellite monetization

Aviation Week

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BAE Systems advances “dynamic space operations” with maneuverable, refuelable satellite and Moon cargo tug concept BAE Systems says it is building out its Elevation line with the Ascent spacecraft for space superiority and exploration, and is unveiling a new high-thrust, maneuverable, refuelable satellite architecture targeted for delivery in 2027. The company is also entering the space-tug market with a vehicle it claims can move cargo and small satellites to the Moon. BAE and Lockheed Martin plan dynamic-operations testing for the coming years.

2026-04-14T05:08:26.678162-07:00

BAE Systems advances “dynamic space operations” with maneuverable, refuelable satellite and Moon cargo tug concept

SpaceNews.com

Space Capital: AI and geopolitics driving a new investment phase in space infrastructure Early-stage investor Space Capital says AI advances and rising geopolitical tensions are accelerating investment into space infrastructure, marking a new phase of capital formation. The assessment comes from its quarterly research released April 14, positioning AI-enabled capabilities and strategic pressure as key demand drivers.

2026-04-14T04:56:21.917357-07:00

Space Capital: AI and geopolitics driving a new investment phase in space infrastructure

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Commercial Space News

ESA awards Kepler-led team contract for HydRON “fiber in the sky” laser communications demo across multiple orbital planes

Seagate Space and Oceaneering to build next-generation offshore launch infrastructure

Blue Canyon Technologies expands reaction wheel production capacity

BAE Systems advances “dynamic space operations” with maneuverable, refuelable satellite and Moon cargo tug concept

News Timeline